News Bulletin

February 06, 2015

National Press:

Khyber Pakhtunkhua

Govt asked to meet teachers’ demands

Muttahida Asatiza Mahaz, an organisation of teachers of the public sector schools, announced new office-bearers for Khyber Pakhtunkhwaon Thursday and presented a charter of demands. Speaking at a news conference, the newly elected chairman of the organization Abdul Munaf said government must announce and hold elections for a representative union of the teachers.

Government Girls Primary School (GGPS) in Dherai has been dysfunctional since 2009, residents told The Express Tribune. Situated in Mankyal union council of Bahrain tehsil, the red-brick building which once taught over 200 children how to read and write, has now become a ghost school.

The police defused an explosive device that was planted near a school in the limits of Mandan Police Station on Wednesday, sources said. “The explosives were stuffed in a bottle and placed in front of the Government Primary School in Badshah Khan village,” the sources said.

Nearly 321 of the 428 complaints received by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Education Complaint Cell have been resolved since it was set up over four months ago, stated a document issued by the body on Thursday. The complaint cell was set up in September 2014. Under the initiative, the general public was urged to register any grievances they may have regarding elementary and higher education in the province.

The anti-corruption department Kohat has raided several schools in Marai area and found many teachers absent, some for over a month. The assistant director of the anti-corruption department, Ali Hassan, visited government high school for girls in Marai and found that Wawa Bibi, a teacher, had been absent since January 12, 2014 without any application.

Teachers on Thursday warned they would agitate across the province after one month if the government didn’t accept their demands, including merger of all adhoc relief with basic salary, revision of their scales, and establishment of a hospital.

Speakers at a function here on Thursday stressed the need for imparting purposeful and moral education to the students. The event was organised to recognise services of Prof Gohar Zaman, a noted educationist and former principal of University Public School (UPS). He added that education was not only passing on information to students but real education was to morally transform them through a purposeful education.

An improvised explosive device (IED) planted outside a private college here in Hayatabad went off in the small hours of Thursday, partially damaging its main gate. Local police said that unknown armed men had planted the explosive material outside the gate of ICMS in Hayatabad Phase-V, which went off with a bang after midnight. The blast caused unrest among the people in the posh locality. It caused damage to the college’s main gate and windowpanes, but no one was injured in the blast.

Firing on a school van by unidentified men on Friday morning injured a young girl in northwestern Pakistan's Charsadda district. The nature of the injury sustained by the girl could not be ascertained immediately.

The Balochistan High Court has abolished special seats in the Bolan Medical College and said the creation of such seats in categories A, B, C, D and E in the prospectus of the college is clear violation of articles 25 and 37 of the Constitution.

A number of Federal Directorate of Education run schools are facing shortage of teachers for technical subjects. Three decades ago, subjects such as electric wiring, wood work and metal work were introduced at some of these institutions.

In view of the wave of terrorism against schools, Punjab government has directed the government and private schools to put a temporary ban on all extra curricular activities in school to keep students safe from ongoing terrorism threats. The schools have been directed to ban holding of sports day, mina bazaar, and fun fairs in view of security threats. According to the sources education officers of the entire province have been notified about the announcement.

An alliance of private schools ‘Pakistan Alliance of Independent Schools’ (PAIS) has been set up to resolve issues of private schools including security concerns. This was announced at the launch of the PAIS, an initiative of Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi here the other day. The launch witnessed participation from various members of private school associations.

The Higher Education Commission hosted a lecture to 43 university sites via its videoconference facility, which was also attended by vice chancellors and their representatives of Rawalpindi and Islamaba along the HEC senior management.

The education ministry is currently working on proposals that would be submitted to the federal government to introduce uniform system of education in the country. The proposals are being prepared on the directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who wants uniform system of education across the country to bridge the gap between marginalised students and those studying in elite institutions.

Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown telephoned Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday evening and expressed his commitment to raise $ 450 million for bringing about improvement in the education sector of Pakistan. The money to be provided for improvement in education sector also included funds for beefing up security facilities for the schools.

Students of the Roots Millennium School (RMS), I-9/3 Campus, performed well in the Cambridge International Examinations, says a press release. As many as 19 students from Roots were able to secure distinctions in various subjects.

The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has launched a computer system for government educational institutions in Islamabad to keep a record of visitors. The Daily Visitors Invigilation System, designed by the FDE Information Technology Section, will help make educational institutions more secure against violence, especially acts of terrorism, a relevant official told this scribe.

The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) will conduct the centralised annual examination of fifth grade and scholarship examination for eighth grade in the last week of current month. According to FDE Registrar (examinations) Hasan Imran Baig, the examinations will begin on February 23 and continue until March 9.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) hosted a lecture to 43 university sites via its video conference facility which was also attended by vice chancellors and their representatives of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. HEC senior management also attended. HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed presided over the session. He introduced the guest speaker Prof. Rodger A. Randel, who is two time Mayor, and former president of University of Oklahoma. He is Director, OU Centre for Studies in Democracy and Culture and a Professor at Department of Human Relations.

Higher courts interference is creating hurdles in the proceedings of harassment cases, filed in Federal Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace. The issue was pointed out by Federal Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace, Justice Yasmeen Abbasi, while speaking at the advocacy programme on Act for Protection of Women against Harassment at Workplace, organized by Employers Federation of Pakistan.

Suspected terrorists have threatened to bomb Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and a welfare organisation, police sources revealed on Thursday. An AIOU security officer went to the police to report that an unidentified man called him and threatened to bomb the university.

In an effort to give students and other participants an understanding of global issues, a local school launched a four-day Global Model United Nations (GMUN) huddle at its campus on Thursday “Disseminate dialogue, debase differences” is the theme for the event for this year’s event organised by the Global System of Integrated Studies (GSIS).

AOIU committed to the cause of promoting quality education and distant learning, has allocated Rs55m for poor and deserving students. AIOU regional Director for Karachi Campus at a press conference said this.

International Islamic University has launched a portal on the university websitewith the title “IIUI Hostel” to facilitate the students of the varsity. IIU hostels management launched this link on universitywebsite where inform

Infrastructure of Government Girls Elementary College, Pindori has inadequate infrastructure. There are only 10 rooms, which are not enough. There is no roof. In rainy day, the admin give holidays to students.

The Government Girls Elementary School, Kotli Addo, has been without its building since its establishment some 22 years ago. Villagers, however, offered one-kanal land to the district government for the construction of the school building.

Panic spread among the staff and students of the Government Girls High School, Noorpur Nauranga, Bahawalpur when a piece of cloth inscribed with threatening words was found on the school premises. The Musaffar Khana police registered a report on information of the principal. Reportedly, a student of the school found a piece of cloth that contained a threat of attack on the school on February 4, 5 or 6. The student gave the cloth to Principal Shabnum Mubarak, who immediately informed the police.

Education EDO Najma Kausar suspended the Government High School Chak 430/JB, Gojra, headmaster and five teachers for being absent. The Education EDO paid a surprise visit to the school and found Headmaster Saifur Rehman and five teachers - Farooq, Rizwan, Zeeshan, Sajid and Riaz – absent from duty.

The 29th Lahore International Book Fair (LIBF) opened on Thursday at the Lahore Expo Centre. Hundreds of book enthusiasts made their way to the centre on the opening day. The five-day book fair was inaugurated by Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan. The book fair features 285 stalls. This year, 20 foreign publishers are represented at the fair.

Government College University (GCU), Lahore Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman has established the Ravian Forensic Society (RFS) at the university level and allocated a special budget for the training and other academic and co-curricular activities of the society on Tuesday. Addressing the RFS oath-taking ceremony, the Vice Chancellor said that eminent chemist Dr Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh would continue to remain the advisor of the society.

Finance Minstery of Punjab objection on leasing of land by Punjab University to some private company. However, senior board of revenue rejected their objections and said that their objections are political.

Provincial Education Department decided to take action against school head who are registering fake admissions. Department said to that every schools has to send student enrolment list to inspection teams.

Despite, the warnings of Peshawar’s Army Public School (APS)-like deadly attack by the terrorists, the school-going children has shown a resolve against terrorism by attending the schedule classes on Wednesday. However, the administration of schools, particularly private educational institutes, accompanied by local police and paramilitary force has adopted strict security plan to cope-up with any emergency situation.

Audit department has found the financial irregularities and misuse of funds of Rs13.53 billion by the Reform Support Unit (RSU) of Sindh Education Department in financial year 2013-14. According to the official correspondence of Audit department with the higher authorities of Education department and World Bank despite the use of huge funds of millions of rupees, condition of education and schools is very poor in Sindh province due to incompetence, corruption and mismanagement of Education department and its Reform Support Unit (RSU).

Sindh teachers demand withdrawal of new policy for associate professors

The Sindh chapter of Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has decided to voice its concerns over the new requirements laid down by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for the post of Associate Professor. The office bearers will also discuss with the HEC authorities the ongoing controversy at Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology and the problems with Sindh Universities Amendment Act 2013.

After a series of campus drives across the city’s various educational institutes, the Aao Parhao drive reached Quaid-e-Azam’s alma mater, Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), on Wednesday. One of the oldest Muslim educational institutions in the sub-continent, SMIU opened its doors to the campaign that urges the youth to teach others what they have learned.

A day after a grenade attack in Gulshan-e-Iqbal’s Block 7, school administrations have claimed that there was a lack of security in the area where several private educational institutions are located. Although more than 25 schools in the locality were open on Wednesday, less than 50 per cent of the students showed up for class following Tuesday’s attack.

Two students ended up behind bars at the Gulistan-e-Jauhar police station on Thursday after they tried to have their coaching centre shutdown by sending a threat note. The arrest of the teenage boys, 17-year-old Moazzam Siddiqui and 18-year-old Wudood Ahmed, was announced by SSP East Pir Muhammad Shah at a news conference at his office.

Some public and private schools in Sachal Goth received threat notes on Wednesday, similar to the ones left at private schools in Gulshah-e-Iqbal after they were attacked with a grenade a day earlier. Some men, identifying themselves as Sindhi Taliban Pakistan, left threat notes at the Government Girls Primary and Secondary School in Sachal Goth and two other educational institutes, warning them of dire consequences if the hanging of their associates did not stop.

Evolving skills: US varsity team helps students learn the art of writing

Writers from the International Writing Programme visited the students of Hijrat Colony and Sultanabad on Thursday, encouraging them to write and publish their experiences of life. The University of Iowa, working hand-in-hand with The School of Writing (TSW), aims to polish the writing skills of underprivileged students and refine their expression of creativity.

Police claimed to have arrested five suspects allegedly involved in an attack on a school during raids conducted in different parts of the cityon Thursday. The operation was launched in the aftermath of a cracker attack on a school located in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of the city. The raids were carried out in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Abul Hassan Isphahani Rod, Gabol Town and Sohrab Goth on the basis of information gathered through close circuit TV camera footage. Sources said all the five suspects were associated with a banded outfit.

More than 150 principal of private colleges taken extra fees. They did corruption. They charge 330 from each student and pay 560 for degree classes to education department as part of share. They were doing so since five years.

No matter what the world says about our education system, Pakistan has produced not few, but numerous eminent scholars, scientists and artists — individuals adept in all walks of life. The credit cannot be given to our education system but to those individuals who have proved themselves to the world. It’s been almost three months since I stepped into the professional world as a reporter, having obtained my master’s degree in the field of mass communication from Karachi University (KU) and my matric and intermediate certificates from the Karachi Board of Education.

The appalling drop in reading habits and loss of interest in books and magazines can be traced to the change in our values and educational standards, though some isolated efforts are under way to stem the rot. Parents, teachers and even pupils are hardly interested in acquiring broad-based knowledge but study only to score high marks. A former head of the Cambridge Syndicate in Pakistan, Fred Burke described this phenomenon as ‘chasing shadows’.

This refers to the letter, ‘Madressah reforms’ (February 4) by Dr Najeeb A Khan. The writer in his rejoinder to my letter, ‘A real cure’ (February 1) has not connected the threads of the narrative well enough. Agreed that there are highly educated people who have joined the ranks of militants but what is questionable is the type of education they received.

Due to shortage of funds Dera Ismail Khan a sizeable number of schools reprieved from the security measures. A number of schools & their boundary wall condition are very poor. The security risk is still. Some school do not have watchman & other staff. Demand for urgent release of funds.

Vacant posts are fill through appointment teachers are waiting promotion till twenty years

After the clear instruction of provincial government education department appointed SSTs & other cadre appointment from the other district & the senior teachers those who waiting from the last twenty years for the promotion are deprived & they have great concern on this act of department.

The new cabinet of Mutahadda Teachers Mahaz presented four point charter demand to KP government and announced if their demand not fulfill then they will started agitation movement against the government.

Union Council Belian girls students are deprived from the education government education emergency promised just like a dream

Union Council Belian girls students are deprived from the education government education emergency promised just like a dream. Government built a school building in Village Menol before twenty years but still educational activities are not started in this school. Save the future of the children to become dark.

The private schools of Peshawar & suburbs area are increased their school fees up till 100%. The owners are running their institutions only for the profit purposes. The parents demanded less in the fesses otherwise they will start protest.

Complete Story: Daily Subh, Peshawar Page no. 2

PTI performance, Nizam Pur school closed for the last 4 months due to non-availability of staff

PTI performance, Government Girls Primary School village Charpai, Nizam Pur closed for the last 4 months due to non-availability of staff. The residents of the village approached education department, local MPA, Provincial Mohtasib Peshawar. But all the efforts are useless. Education department transferred the all three females another place. Due to school close the innocent girls’ future seems to be darkened.

Complete story: Daily Khabrain, Peshawar Page no. 2

Blast in front of Private College, No casualty

An improvised explosive device (IED) planted outside a private college in Hayatabad area exploded and damaged the main gate on Thursday. According to police unknown miscreants had planted explosive materials outside the gate of private college in Hayatabad Phase-V. No casualty was reported in the blast. Police have registered a case and started investigation.

Complete Story. Daily Surkhab, Peshawar, page #8

Account Office Dera awkward for the teachers of the education department

The office of the Accountant of Dera is problematical for the teachers of the education department. The teachers who present the bribery their work speedy and that who do not pay anything for their legal work they are waiting for the solution of their problems. Anti-corruption department also taken the action against them but still they are busy in their bad practice.

Complete Story. Daily Awamunas, Peshawar, Page no. 2

Balochistan

District officials set the strategy for the elimination of duplicate and cheating

QUETTA: Secretary Secondary Education Abdul Saboor Saboor Kakar said to the district level educational officials that teachers have to hold an event for their training and guidance of dealing with their students. This sought of 3 days training for the best administration of institutes that how to spend a money, where to spent a money and how much invested in which part, such as decoration of institutes, behavior with students and dealing professionally. Abdul Saboor Kakar said that all the district Educational officials have to attend this event and apply practically. He focusing to Educational heads that we need to eradicate this evil of cheating forever from the mentality of Baluchistan Students. We will get very soon from this cancer of cheating.

Quality of Education and Good Health will make possible the provision of facilities

QUETTA: Chief Secretary Baluchistan Saif ullah Chatta said in the press release that Quality of Education and good health is evidence of prosperity and developed nations. He said that Good Education and good health will make possible the provision of facilities and the current Government first priority is these both promotions of Education and improvement in the department of health. In the financial the current government has allocated the 26% in the Education sector. These views expressed in the meeting of World Bank Mission and the meeting chaired under the pinnacle Country Director of World Bank Rasheed s/o Masood.

Complete Story: Balochistan News, Page no. 1

In Baluchistan 218 schools from 7.6 billion cost of construction work is completed

DERA ALLAH YAR: Baluchistan Education Foundation has constructed 218 schools in the cost of 76 billion and the construction work has been completed recently. In the constructed schools 1200 trained teachers have provided their services of Education to the 27000 admitted students in the school. This is a big change for the Education of Baluchistan. In the press conference Management director of Baluchistan Education Foundation Abdul Tawab Khan Achakzai said to the present officials that we have constructed the new schools with a latest technology solar system and this will improve the shortage of electricity for the schools. Now it’s up to the faculty in the school. That how can they maintain the system and decorum of the schools.

Complete Story: Daily Qudrat News, Page no. 3

Many schools closed in Jaffarabad

USTA MUHAMMAD: In Jafferabd Education Department are affected by some dilemmas in the result multiple number of schools are closed due to cheap environment of Education Department. Dozens of schools are changed into the ghost schools on the other hand ghost teachers have seated well in their home and getting smart amount of pay without the provision of any services. These ghost teachers are supported indirectly by political organization and parents have given a threat of court to the ghost teachers.Complete Story: Intekhab News, Page no. 3Musa College to be upgraded into university

QUETTA: Baluchistan Shia conference has held on yesterday and during conference shia community has demanded that the Musa College to be upgraded into university and they further demanded for the separate college in alamdar road. Shia community has said about the Education system that anti-Education groups have disturbed the whole Education system and made allot of obstacles for the shia community in the field of Education. Peshawar School incidence and conquer of Education system by anti-educational groups.

Bhakhur: Mohammed Younus, a teacher at the Govt. High School Bhakhur had begun construction on precious land. Assistant Commissioner stopped construction and lodged a case against him. The said teacher began the construction again. The DCO Bhakhur suspended the teacher and asked EDO to launch an enquiry against him.

Chowk Mehrpur: The residents of the area have said that the building of the Govt. School Nawankot Basti Parrowali has become a wreckage and is a security risk for staff and children and government must take a notice and reconstruct the building.

Layyah: The owners of private schools have complained to authorities that one Akhtar Rasul, presenting himself as Chief Coordinator, CM Secretariat is collecting (bhatta) goon tax from private schools by blackmailing them for not having sufficient security arrangements.

Complete Story: Daily Ausaf Multan Page no. 2

Passing Out Parade Of 219 School Security Guards Held

Rahim Yar Khan: A passing out parade of 219 school security guards was held at Police Lines Rahim Yar Khan. Sarfraz Qazi told the guards that they should not allow anyone into the school without the permission of headmasters or principals.

Complete Story: Daily Ausaf Multan Page no. 12

Daily Express Rahim Yar Khan Page no. 2

Contractor Disappeared Leaving School Boundary Wall Incomplete

Fatehpur: The contractor left the boundary wall of Govt. Primary School Chak No.102/ML, Fatehpur incomplete and disappeared. Numbrdar and people demand action against responsible.

Complete Story: Daily Ausaf Multan Page no. 3

Gordon Brown Promises 450 Million Dollars For Pakistani Schools

Islamabad: Former Prime Minister UK, Gordon Brown telephoned PM Nawaz Sharif and informed him that he will gather funds worth 450 million dollars for improving security of Pakistani schools.

Complete Story: Daily Khabrain Multan Page no. 1

CM Sent Report, 86 Schools Of Yazman Lack Security Arrangements

Yazman: The secret agencies have sent a report to the CM that 86 schools of Yazman do not have proper security arrangements.

Complete Story: Daily Khabrain Multan Page no. 7

Degradation Of Educational Standards (by Khair Mohammed Buddh)

A report was released by a renowned organization about the situation of education of Pakistan during 2014. The said organization conducted a survey in 144 districts, tested 195700 children of the ages of 5 to 16 years, belonging to 93000 families of 4896 households. It was discovered that only 58 per cent children of class 5 could read English books of class 2. This shows that the educational standards in Pakistan are falling. Urdu stories of class 2 were read only by 46% children of class 5, 60% children failed in maths, and only 43 per cent children of class 5 could cope with the syllabus of class 2. The report also said that 21 per cent children were out of school, 49 per cent government schools were without toilets, 39 were without boundary walls, 68% were without playgrounds, 49% without computer labs. All this shows that the standards of education, despite huge spending, are falling with every passing day.

Complete Story: Daily Khabrain Multan Page no. 11

Sindh

PTI Members protested against School closure

District Dadu: Pakistan Tahreek e Insaf Members from Johi protested against closure of Schools in the area. They alleged that local influential have occupied the school buildings have turned them to cattle farms. They said schools are closed due to non-compliance of Education Officers and other responsible persons. Children are kept deprived of getting Primary Education and compelled to work in the hotels; SMC funds are not utilized properly and most of the schools are without basic facilities.

District Qamber Shahdadkot: Sindh High Court Larkana has issued notice to DC, Mukhtiarkar and Chief Secretary on their carelessness of taking action against encroachment before and near Girls School. About 1400 girls are facing problem while attending school due to encroachment.

District Thatto: The residents of village Amb Rebari near Diyo city protested for Primary school building for their village. They briefed media that since 20 years they are crying and Government is not issuing them School building to save future of their poor children. They demanded from Secretary Education Mr. Fazal Ul Allah Pechuho and Education Minister Mr. Nisar Ahmed Khuhro to take notice.

District Sanghar: Government Primary School Tando Adam has remained hub of Education since 1868 and Education process was carried-over with sincerity. But now days it is in worst condition. There is problem of encroachment before school main gate and insecurity problem prevails; shortage of Washrooms and other facilities. Budget is issued for its up gradation, but steps are not taken and implemented. Building is in crumbling condition and its color is fading away, but Government is silent to take notice for its repairing and construction of new building. PPP MPA Mr. Faraz Dero has ensured that they are taking steps for its improvement.

District Sijawal: Primary School Ward Number 11 sijawl city was completely destroyed in the floods, but since then it is not repaired and constructed. About 200 students are compelled to sit on the ground and study under open sky. Teachers of the school told that they have informed Government and Education Department about the condition of school, but nothing has happened yet to construct new building.

District Ghotki: Girls Primary School village Jhangal Malik is closed since 16 years and its furniture is taken away and devastated. Villagers cried that school building is closed and their girls are deprived of getting Primary Education; budget is violated and not properly utilized. They demanded from higher authorities to take notice and save Education of Poor Girls.

District Badin: Higher Secondary and main Primary School golarchi are running without compound walls. About 12 students of both schools are insecure and Government does not take any step for repairing of compound walls.

District Nawabshah: Benazir General University Nawabshah is under number of problems; its progress and reputation is being affected due to drop-out of students and Teachers from the University. Vice Chancellor Mr. Arshad Saleem had suspended 11 Teachers including other non-teaching staff without showing any sold reason. Since then other Teachers and Students are leaving university. 110 Students had taken admission in English Department in 2012-14, but out of that 60 Students left university. 47 Students were admitted in Chemistry Department, but 30 students left. Likewise 636 Students got admission in 2012-14, but 292 Students left their admission and classes unattended. Education standard is getting low position day by day due to ineffective policies and steps of Vice Chancellor.

District Khairpur Mirs: According to the reports 14 Government Schools including Naaz High School, Shah Abdul Latif Boys and Girls Primary Schools and others are handed over to a Private Group named Book. It also identified and leaked that Government has issue 10 cror rupees to that group to run these Schools. GSTA Presidents Mr. Ashraf Khaskheli while addressing to a meeting at School warned that Government should get back these Schools otherwise they would expand protest all over Sindh. Other civil and social parties also have objected privatization of historical Schools of the District.

500 School buildings are without compound walls and looking haunted house. Budget of the schools is grabbed through corruption and Teachers are getting salaries without attending schools. About 250 Girls and Boys Schools are without basic facilities and thousands of schools are turned to landlords’ otaaqs (sitting places). Government is silent and does not take any notice and action against them. Officers are involved in corruption of funds and do not pay attention on restoration of schools.